Ghengis Khan, have saved the world from innumerable scenes of carnage and desolation. The arbitrary mandates of despotism and the frowns of fortune have repressed the philanthropic wishes of many a Howard and Wilberforce, whose hearts burned to execute noble schemes for the benefit of suffering humanity. Thousands of intellectual prodigies have lived and died in obscurity, who would have won an Olympic crown had they been placed in an arena where they could have contended, even-handed, for the mastery. Many men who were possessors of a vast mine of intellectual wealth, rich with a hundred ores, have remained ignorant of their treasures, because there was nothing in their circumstances to disclose them. Many of the favorites of the Muses have shrunk away, like Tasso and Racine, with all the exquisite sensibility of genius, from the coldness of an unsympathizing world, and died of a broken heart, who, had they been cheered by royal patronage, or stimulated by the smiles of public favor, might have risen to a lofty height in literary excellence. The burning thought, the brilliant, soul-stirring conception of many mighty minds have quickened but to perish, and glowed but to die. Many sons of genius have struggled unnoticed with poverty and adverse fortune, and now lie in a nameless and forgotten grave. With how much truth and emphasis may it be said of every country church-yard, as well as of that of which the poet has sung,

'Perhaps, in this neglected spot, is laid

Some heart, once pregnant with celestial fire;
Hands, that the rod of empire might have swayed,
Or waked to ecstasy the living lyre.

'Some village Hampden, who, with dauntless breast,
The little tyrant of his fields withstood;
Some mute, inglorious Milton here may rest;
Some Cromwell, guiltless of his country's blood.

But knowledge to their eyes her ample page,
Rich with the spoils of time, did ne'er unroll;
Chill penury repressed their noble rage,
And froze the genial current of the soul.'

But while genius has frequently sunk under the pressure of untoward circumstances, and talent remained dormant from the absence of appropriate stimulus, often, on the other hand, the slumbering energies of thousands have been roused to noble and efficient exertion, by a combination of circumstances favorable for the devel

opment and action of mind. Often, philanthropists of very ordinary powers of mind have been able to accomplish a vast amount of good in society, by taking advantage of a favorable tide in events. There are times when men may achieve great things for humanity and for religion, by falling in with the current of public feeling, and guiding it into right channels.

Throughout the whole history of man, there have been periods in which the human mind has been awakened to a consciousness of its powers, and excited to animated activity by violent political revolutions, or by a commotion of the elements of the social state. It is in the pressure and din of great events and conflicting interests, of perilous risks and dazzling rewards, that the fires of intellect are struck out and dormant talent roused.

'One glorious hour of crowded life
Is worth an age without a name.'

Then great things are Exciting times, moment

Then men live fast and think quick. attempted and great things accomplished. ous occasions, great enterprises rouse the soul, and call forth sublime exhibitions of genius and intellectual power.

Whenever, in the course of human events, an important crisis arrives, ardent and adventurous minds start up prepared to meet it. The circumstances of the American Revolution were such as were calculated to excite deep feeling, to awaken most powerfully the soul, and to call forth all the physical and mental resources of the colonists. The alarming emergency and the great interests at stake demanded all the bravery, sagacity, and moral power which the country possessed. The consequence was, that many mighty minds, who, in ordinary times would have remained in retirement and inactivity, were urged on by the strong tide of public feeling to high and noble deeds. The number of master spirits who sprung forward from obscurity to the defence of freedom during that perilous struggle, far exceeded the expectation of the colonists themselves, and was a matter of wonder and embarrassment to their enemies. The circumstances of their times, the hardships of their situation, the great interests at stake, revealed to them and to the world the power and resources of the American people. The power which was in them might have slumbered in profound apathy, had not the exi

gency of the case and the strong pressure of great interests called for the bold exercise of perseverance, sagacity, and moral courage. But for the awakening, stimulating incidents of the American Revolution, thousands who now occupy a conspicuous place in the annals of their country's history, would have passed their lives in obscurity and died unknown to posterity. But for the Revolution, George Washington might have lived and died a Virginia planter; and James Otis and Patrick Henry might never have known that they were orators, and the world never have felt the power of that thrilling, electrifying eloquence, which even at this day, will set the blood of every true American at gallop in his veins.

Capacity and opportunity are twin sisters; they are both necessary to success in any great or benevolent enterprise. The most favorable combination of circumstances is of no avail, unless there are master-spirits to catch them with a vigilant eye, to seize them with a strong arm and turn them to a wise purpose. And without propitious circumstances, genius cannot put forth its powerful agency and exert its controlling influence. Napoleon would, probably, never have been Emperor of the French, had he not come on to the stage of action when they were without a king, and had he not seen fortune beckoning him to the throne. Yet none but Napoleon could ride upon the whirlwind and direct the storm;' none but he could ride to power on a raging flood of human passion. It is the prerogative of genius to press into its service the succession of circumstances, to make them subserve its high purposes, and bow to its invincible spirit. All those illustrious characters who have risen to the loftiest heights of intellectual fame, and all those Christian philanthropists who have accomplished great and blessed things in ameliorating human misery, have achieved their noble deeds by making the circumstances of the age and country in which they lived, subservient to their exalted purposes. A distinguished writer has justly remarked: 'Men of great and strong powers of mind, who are destined to mould the age in which they live, must first mould themselves upon it. Mahomet, born twelve centuries later and in the heart of Europe, would not have been a false prophet, nor would a false prophet of the present generation have been a Mahomet in the sixth century.'

This adaptation to the circumstances of the age and country in which one lives, this promptly seizing upon propitious events as

Whoever,

they roll, is a mark of genius and the secret of success. then, would achieve anything worthy a noble and generous mind, let him narrowly watch the tide in human affairs about him; let him nerve his powers and direct them steadily, and with undaunted energy to the accomplishment of some wise purpose; and soon the moving current of events will cast up its opportunities and advantages around him, and guide him on to a glorious and triumphant issue.

The circumstances and spirit of the present age are peculiarly favorable to the development of the female mind. Such is the state of society and public sentiment at the present time in our country, that woman may reach by her influence, all classes, and every department of life. She may speak with a voice which all will hear and regard. Shall that voice be raised in favor of fashion, and frivolity, and the vain pleasures of a fleeting hour? Or shall it speak in favor of intellectual culture, virtue, benevolence, and the claims of the future life?

It is an impressive truth, that circumstances have their influence in the great matter of eternal salvation. In securing this high boon, there are, in the life of every person, golden opportunities, favored moments. There sometimes comes a crisis in a person's history, when whatever he does for his soul, he must do quickly and earnestly. A trivial event sometimes fixes a man's destiny for the future life. When the Spirit of God is wrestling with the conscience, and the mind is vascillating between the choice of God and the world, the slightest circumstance may determine the question. The decision of a single hour, nay, the decision of a single moment, may determine the everlasting destiny of the soul.

When the wide-extending influence of circumstances in the formation and development of character, is considered, it is pleasing to reflect, that the hand of Divine Providence guides the whole. We are not left to the gloomy doctrine of fate. We are not under the necessity of referring all things to chance, but we know that God is on the throne. We know that all events which transpire among the nations, and all the circumstances which attend any of the race in this state of moral discipline, are ordered in Divine wisdom, and are intimately connected with the advancement of the great scheme of human redemption.

Northbridge, Mass.

LITERARY NOTICES.

FESTUS. A Poem, by Philip J. Bailey. Boston: B. B. Mussey.

This poem, which occupies more than 400 pages, was written by a young lawyer of England, of about twenty-three or twenty-four years of age. The plot is as follows: Lucifer takes Festus to heaven, thence to the earth, and thence to hell, and then again to the earth. The theology of the poem is a compound of all sorts of absurdities and follies. Satan is represented as one of the principal agents, if not the most important in accomplishing the Divine will, and he and all his angels are ultimately to be converted and saved.

Although considerable praise has been bestowed upon this poem, and from quarters where we should have little expected it, such as James Montgomery, Ebenezer Elliot, Mrs. S. C. Hall, Mary Howitt, &c., yet, in our opinion, the poetry is incoherent and very deficient in rhythm. As for the 'exuberance of thought and imagery, and richness of imagination and force of expression,' spoken of by the above-named persons, we confess ourself as not able to discover them.

THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S GUIDE TO THE DOCTRINES AND DUTIES OF A RELIGIOUS LIFE.

This is one of the delicate and beautiful miniature volumes of Gould, Kendall & Lincoln, made from the writings of J. Edwards, J. A. James, and J. Harris. Finely adapted for a useful and valuable present to a friend.

ELEMENTS OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY, on a new and systematic Plan; from the earliest times to the Treaty of Vienna. To which is added, a Summary of the leading Events since that period. For the use of Schools and private Students.

The author of the English edition of this work, is H. White of Trinity College, Cambridge. Of the American edition, John S. Hart, Philadelphia.

This is the best condensed manual of the History of the World we have ever seen. Such a book is much needed for the schools and for the general reader. It embraces 560 closely printed pages, yet it is as comprehensive as the vastness of the subject will admit.

Published and for sale by Hill & Brodhead, 17 Cornhill.

THE WORLD'S SALVATION. By Rev. Enoch Pond of Bangor, Me. Boston: Published by the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society.

'The object aimed at in this work is, to unfold the principles and obligations of the vast Missionary enterprise; to set forth the teaching of the Bible in regard to it; to present it in various attitudes and lights; to remove hindrances and objections; and to press it home upon the hearts and consciences of the present generation of Christians.'

It is an earnest, intelligent, and eloquent appeal on these subjects, and should be extensively read. Those who desire to extend the Missionary impulse should purchase copies of the work and lend, in all cases where they cannot sell.

OBSERVATIONS IN THE EAST.-Dr. Durbin's work, published a year or two since, entitled, 'Observations in Europe,' was well received by the public. We have here two volumes of Observations in the East, chiefly in Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and Asia Minor.

We assure our readers, that the deeply interesting topics brought out in these volumes, and the happy style of the writer, render them uncommonly attractive. We understand that they have found great favor in the public estimation. They richly deserve this favor, and we rejoice to see it so worthily accorded.

The volumes are enriched with two maps, and numerous wood cuts and steel engravings, illustrative of the subject.

Published by the Harpers, and for sale by Waite, Peirce & Co.